Aoun stresses importance of IMF discussions leading to realistic and implementable solutions
The situation on the ground in the south nearly escalated into a confrontation between the Lebanese and Israeli armies, had it not been for rapid communications that calmed the situation after the Israeli army threatened to target a Lebanese army position if it did not withdraw from the outskirts of the town of Deir Mimas. The Israeli forces dropped six acoustic grenades around the point where their troops were stationed at the inner entrance to Deir Mimas, while the Lebanese army reinforced its positions around the town.
A state of anticipation prevailed in the area amid continued field movements. An Israeli unit searched several homes inside Deir Mimas before returning to its position at Tell al-Nahhas, while the Lebanese army maintained its presence on the main road in Burj al-Muluk.
As Lebanon entered the autumn season, with heavy rainfall and a drop in temperatures yesterday, the political climate was swept by the “southern wind,” which established itself as a key agenda item following the return of President General Joseph Aoun from Paris. There, he was received by Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam, with whom he discussed the successive Israeli attacks on southern villages and towns, as well as the atmosphere of his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Jordanian King Abdullah II. They also deliberated on the preparatory meeting for the international conference supporting the army and internal security forces. Additionally, Salam congratulated Aoun on the renewed confidence granted to the government by the Parliament following the debate sessions.
Aoun and Salam also discussed the agenda of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, which begin on Tuesday, with Salam set to head the Lebanese delegation. They also addressed the upcoming meeting in Washington to discuss the situation in Lebanon, as well as the cabinet’s ongoing review of the budget.
President Aoun then met with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Ernesto Ramírez Rigo, who had also visited Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri. The delegation included the IMF’s new representative in Beirut, Yahya Saeed, and Maya Shweiri. At the outset of the meeting, the delegation congratulated President Aoun on the “adoption of the law to reform and reorganize the banking sector” and briefed him on the atmosphere of his discussions in Beirut with Lebanese officials. The talks focused particularly on the path toward restructuring the banking sector, the financial regulation bill, and the recovery of deposits. The IMF delegation presented its observations on several elements it considers essential to ensure a balanced and feasible resolution of financial losses, thereby contributing to rebuilding a sound banking sector capable of restoring confidence and fulfilling its role in financing the economy.
The delegation also shared its preliminary observations on the draft budget for 2027 and the associated fiscal policies, within the framework of enhancing fiscal and economic sustainability and continuing the required reforms. The meeting addressed the economic situation and reconstruction needs, particularly in the south and other affected areas.
While listening to the President’s vision for the coming phase, the process of rebuilding these areas, and revitalizing their economic cycles, the President emphasized “the importance of ensuring that ongoing discussions with the IMF lead to realistic and feasible solutions that take into account the specificities of the Lebanese situation and the current economic and financial conditions.” He affirmed “the importance of building on the progress achieved so far and continuing to work in a spirit of cooperation and flexibility to reach an understanding on the remaining issues.”
